Update: Coast Guard, partner agencies responding to report of downed military aircraft off North Shore, Oahu

Courtesy Photo | The crew of a Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin helicopter (CG 6608) from Air Station Barbers Point conducts a search for 12 Marine aviators off the North Shore of Oahu Jan. 17, 2016. Joint aircrews connected multiple sortie contributing to more than 16,000 square nautical miles of cumulative search effort by the late afternoon of day three. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Air Station Barbers Point/Released)  

HONOLULU , HAWAII, UNITED STATES

01.15.2016

Story by Petty Officer 3rd Class Melissa McKenzie 

U.S. Coast Guard District 14 Hawaii Pacific

HONOLULU - The Coast Guard and partner agencies continue searching for survivors after two aircraft crashed off Haleiwa on the North Shore of Oahu, Friday.

Responders are searching for survivors in a debris field located approximately seven miles offshore that stretches from Mokule’ia Beach to Turtle Bay.

“The Coast Guard is asking that people use extreme caution along the coastal area surrounding the wreckage site, which stretches from Mokule’ia Beach to Turtle Bay,” said Lt. Scott Carr, Coast Guard 14th District public affairs officer. “We are urging people to stay out of the water and off the beaches due to debris that could pose potential risk and cause serious bodily harm.”

At 11:38 p.m. Thursday, watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Honolulu received notification of two possible downed military helicopters, each reportedly with six personnel aboard.

Watchstanders at the Sector transferred the case to the Coast Guard District 14 Command Center, also in Honolulu. Watchstanders at the District directed the launch of Coast Guard aircrews from Air Station Barbers Point and requested assistance from other local agencies.

Crews involved in the search are:
-MH-65 Dolphin helicopter
-HC-130 Hercules airplane
-2 Navy warships
-MH-60 helicopter crew from the 37th Helicopter Squadron out of Marine Corps Base Hawaii
-Honolulu Fire Department
-Helicopter Rescue Boat
-Coast Guard Cutters Ahi and Kiska

Weather conditions are 17 to 23 mph winds, 16-foot swells with 30- to 40-foot surf and one-mile visibility.

A high surf advisory is in effect for the north facing shore of Oahu with 10- to 15-foot waves building to 25- to 30-foot waves later in the day.

The cause of the accident is under investigation by the Marine Corps.

For questions specific to the Marine Corps, please contact the III Marine Expeditionary Force public affairs officer at 808-216-7183.

Members of the public who locate wreckage debris are cautioned against recovering it themselves. They are instead asked to call 808-257-8458 or 808-257-3023.

• Date Taken: 01.15.2016
• Date Posted: 01.16.2016 17:58
• Story ID: 186459
• Location: HONOLULU , HAWAII, US